Clemson’s first game of 2017 began Saturday the way its final game of last season ended. With big success — a 56-3 win.

The defending champ Clemson Tigers are back.

The No. 5 Tigers ran onto the field — facing Kent State of the MAC — to the cheers of the huge crowd, accompanied by the national championship trophy, claimed in January with a thrilling win against Alabama.

Then, with new quarterback Kelly Bryant, Clemson began work on chasing another championship.

Bryant has the hefty responsibility of replacing Deshaun Watson behind center for the defending national champions. The junior, who had thrown just 22 passes in his career for Clemson (1-0) in mop up duty, showed he could both run and pass.

Bryant had a perfectly placed 61-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain on his second drive. He mirrored Watson’s running ability, taking off for a 47-yard run after all his receivers were covered. And he showed the “swag” that coach Dabo Swinney promised to fans skittish about Watson’s departure.

The Golden Flashes (0-1) were without coach Paul Haynes, who missed the game for medical reasons. They gained just 119 yards.

Bryant finished 16-for-22 passing for 236 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers gained 353 yards on the ground, spreading out the workload among seven players who had four or more carries.

Freshmen QBs Hunter Johnson and Zerrick Cooper each got playing time; Johnson was 5-for-6 for 39 yards, and Cooper was 4-for-6 for 37.

It was only Kent State, but it was a good start.

The Tigers clearly were looked confident. The band was, for certain. Confident. Audacious even. At halftime, there was a little shot at Ohio State, the team the Tigers shut out in the CFP semifinals last year.